WestJet's Swoop to take flight in Canada, announce new routes in June

WestJet Airlines’s new ultra low-cost carrier will in June launch weekly flights in Canada and announce new trans-border routes, in a move aimed at attracting budget-conscious Canadian passengers both inside the country and away from US rivals, a company executive said Thursday. WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, last year announced the planned launch of its ultra low-cost carrier, Swoop. On Thursday, it fleshed out details of the separate no-frills carrier. Swoop will target the equivalent of 40 planes a day of Canadians who fly out of US border airports in the winter to destinations like the southern US and Mexico, said Bob Cummings, WestJet’s executive VP of strategy. “The opportunity for us with respect to the southern flying is significant,” he said. Earlier on Thursday, WestJet said Swoop will launch 12 weekly domestic flights in Canada starting on June 20, with additional routes to be added during the summer. Average Swoop fares will be 30% lower than WestJet’s regular economy fare, said Cummings. Passengers are expected to pay extra for items like food, additional leg room and bringing baggage on board.<br/>